Springfield-area lawmakers are all holding their powder as the debate of a U.S. military strike on Syria escalates and Congress prepares to vote on the issue.
Both of Missouri’s U.S. senators–Democrat Claire McCaskill and Republican Roy Blunt–remain undecided. The two lawmakers, who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, have said little since President Barack Obama announced that he would seek congressional approval for military action.
Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, issued a new statement on Friday suggesting that he was leaning against a strike.
“The president has yet to adequately explain to the American people how our national interests are threatened in this situation and how the action proposed would protect those interests,” Long said. “As a result, I remain very skeptical of involving our country in another country’s civil war.”
That’s a shift in tone from Saturday, when Long said he looked forward to a “thoughtful debate” in Congress and would vote “for what I believe will protect lives in Syria and be in the best interest of the United States and world order.”
Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, is similarly skeptical and a spokesman said he is leaning no.
“I have serious concerns about any military involvement in Syria because the situation has no clear national securities connections to the United States and victory of any proposed military action has not been defined,” Smith said in a statement earlier this week. “We should not put our men and women in uniform in harm’s way without clear objectives and a sensible strategy.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, said Friday that she will host a conference call for constituents who want to weigh in on the issue.
She said she has “deep reservations about the wisdom of launching an attack,” but is still undecided and wants to get voters’ input.
Here is the info for the call:
When: Monday, September 9th at 7:00pmCT.
How to participate: Dial 877-228-2184 and enter event ID 18764.
Her office said the call is free and offer “citizens with a platform to express their views on this serious matter.”
